Penrith Panthers, New South Wales Blues and Australian Kangaroos superstar Nathan Cleary is set to test the open market for the first time in his career.

While he hasn't said it's a guarantee, he has certainly hinted it's going to happen.

The Penrith Panthers have a stretched salary cap, and just maybe, the star halfback is getting itchy feet around what his legacy will be if he never tries to play outside of the Penrith system.

There are plenty of fresh challenges around the competition for him to have a crack at while he is still in the prime of his career.

From heading to an under fire club, to an expansion one, to linking up with another premiership contender, all options are on the table for a player who will fetch well and truly over a million per season once he starts to test his true worth from November 1.

Penrith are still a great chance of capturing Cleary's signature, but if he does leave the foot of the mountains, where does he wind up?

We have analysed and ranked every club's chance of landing the Penrith star.

3. New Zealand Warriors

Ivan Cleary once coached the New Zealand Warriors. It means Nathan Cleary spent a fair chunk of time in Auckland during his upbringing.

He has admitted he has a like of New Zealand in previous interviews, and his time over there is the reason he believes rugby union could be an option down the path for him.

But there is a chance he also wants to improve the success of the club, and improve his own legacy.

The plaudits he would get for finally being the halfback to take the lid off the premiership basket would be something fairly special.

The Warriors do have Luke Metcalf locked in long-term, but he was a five-eighth at the Sharks, a five-eighth when he first arrived in Auckland and a five-eighth when he returned from injury a few weeks ago.

Playing alongside Cleary with a chance to win a premiership, we suspect he'd have no issues doing more of the same.

With Nathan's brother Jett already in New Zealand, this one just makes sense.

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